"I was urging my old club to sign Van Dijk for a year before they finally got him.

"As I sat in the stands while Jurgen Klopp's side demolished FC Porto 5-0 in the Champions League last week, a number of missing ingredients have been injected into this team with the signing of this one player.

"Liverpool have lacked leaders in key areas for far too long.

"The attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane got all the credit after the thumping win in Portugal that all but booked a Champions League quarter-final spot.

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Virgil van Dijk cost Liverpool £75 from Southampton

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Virgil van Dijk celebrating his goal against Everton

"But Van Dijk (along with Jordan Henderson and James Milner) is already established as a vocal presence."

Liverpool sit third in the Premier League table, just two points behind rivals Man Utd in second.

Klopp's side return to action on Saturday when they host West Ham (3pm).